What is a “Michigan” basement?
A “Michigan” Basement is a partially dug-out space, typically bigger than a crawl space, but less than an actual basement.
One step up from a crawl space, a “Michigan” basement is basically just a dug-out area under the house. It’s shorter than a normal basement because the foundation didn’t go as deep. They’re difficult to stand up in.
The floor and walls are just dirt, but a lot of times the homeowner pours a cement floor in after the house is built. Another common after-thought is putting in “walls” made of cinder blocks.
Above it's just the underside of the house, with exposed joists and wiring.
Mostly damp, dirty and mildewed, you can’t really “finish” them into any type of living space. But if you set them up right and put in a dehumidifier, some people put a washer and dryer down there. There are also ways to turn a “Michigan” basement into a wine cellar, if you don’t mind the conditions. Storage is also an option.
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